• Assess, plan, evaluate, and modify the plan of acute and chronically ill patients.
• Perform a variety of duties that involve isolating and defining unknown medical conditions.
• Collect detailed and comprehensive medical history from patients to perform clinical evaluations.
• Determine need for and order laboratory tests, X-rays, and other procedures necessary to complete assessment of patients.
• Write prescriptions, orders the administration of medications, dispenses medication and prescribes controlled substances in accordance with scope of practice for Physician Assistants.
• Perform outpatient surgical and non-surgical procedures as designated by credentials committee.
• Diagnose and manage various medical conditions, ensuring appropriate care for diverse diseases, disorders, and injuries.
• Provide consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients regarding treatment and medical care.
• Provide educational management to patients regarding disease processes and diagnostic tests, therapeutic regimen.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• This position has specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• This position has mandatory seasonal Influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal Influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire).
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• This position requires the incumbent to have Tuberculosis testing.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position has a lifting requirement of 50 pounds.
• This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• Must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician Assistant through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirements for Physician Assistant:

Education: Graduation from a physician assistant educational program, accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, at a college, university, or educational institution that is accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Certification: Successful completion of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) examination; must maintain status as a certified physician assistant, including completion of all requirements for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and re-certification.

Licensure: Applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician Assistant from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Exemption: You are exempt from the license requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0603 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: At least one full year of work experience as a certified Physician Assistant which includes, 1) Obtaining patient medical histories, conducting physical examinations, and performing minor procedures; 2) Review and interpret laboratory and imaging results; 3) Implementing evidence-based plans of care per relevant clinical guidelines AND 4) Prescribing medications.

This definition of experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.